With the Christmas market season fast approaching, Europe’s best cities are gearing up for weeks of twinkling wooden stalls, steaming mugs of mulled wine and festive treats against some of the continent’s most beautiful backdrops.
We take a look at four of Europe’s best festive markets, all within a three-hour flight from London and each paired with a Ruby Hotel close to the action. Ruby’s “Lean Luxury” approach makes it easy to enjoy the ultimate Christmas market experience with prime city locations, comfortable beds and a relaxed bar to unwind in after a day of festive shopping.
Stockholm, Sweden
Where to stay: Ruby Frida
For a more traditional Scandinavian Christmas, visit Skansen, the open-air museum on the island of Djurgården in central Stockholm. Its historic homes and farmsteads are all decorated for the season.
Try smoked treats and sugared almonds at the market or join traditional dances around the Christmas tree at Bollnäs Square. Stockholm winter days are short, so cozy evenings matter. Ruby Frida offers a stylish, relaxed base for cold Nordic nights.
Flight from London: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Rooms at Ruby Frida start from £88 per night.
Cologne, Germany
Where to stay: Ruby Ella
Cologne Cathedral Market is the city’s largest and best known. It sits right below the Gothic cathedral, with a giant Christmas tree and more than 150 wooden pavilions selling crafts and seasonal treats. For more shopping, head to Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse, two of Cologne’s best-known shopping streets, or go ice skating at Heumarkt.
Amsterdam has more to offer than its markets. The Amsterdam Light Festival lights up the canals from November 26, 2026 to January 17, 2027, showcasing one of Europe’s most atmospheric winter events. Indulge in Dutch seasonal treats like oliebollen (deep-fried dough balls) and appelbeignets (apple fritters) with mulled wine.
Opt for either a flight or Eurostar train for a quick weekend away, with Ruby Emma’s central location putting you within easy reach of both the light festival and markets.
Flight from London: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Rooms at Ruby Emma start from £90 per night.
Rome, Italy
Where to stay: Ruby Giulia
Rome’s festive centrepiece is the Piazza Navona Christmas market, where stalls sit among Baroque architecture and historic fountains. Warm up with a cup of vin brulé, Italy’s take on mulled wine, served with slices of panettone at one of the city’s trattorias or osterias.
Ruby Giulia sits on the main street between Roma Termini and the city’s landmarks, so you can arrive by train from the airport and get straight to exploring the sights.
Flight from London: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Rooms at Ruby Giulia start from £145 per night.
